Feeding Raw Bones Safely​

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Raw bones may be offered as part of a dog's diet or for chewing and enrichment, provided they are appropriate for the individual dog and are fed with suitable supervision.
 

Not every bone is suitable for every dog. Factors such as the dog's size, age, chewing style, dental health and previous experience should be considered.
 

We recommend:

• choosing appropriately sized raw bones that cannot easily be swallowed whole;

• supervising dogs while they are chewing bones;

• separating dogs when bones or other high-value food items are provided;

• removing bones that become small enough to swallow or develop sharp edges;

• never feeding cooked bones, as these may splinter;

• maintaining appropriate food hygiene when handling raw animal products; and

• seeking veterinary advice where a dog has dental disease, gastrointestinal problems or other health concerns that may make feeding bones unsuitable.
   

Raw bones are not risk-free. Potential risks can include broken teeth, choking, gastrointestinal obstruction or injury, and exposure to bacteria associated with raw animal products.
 

Owners should make feeding decisions according to the needs of their individual dog and seek veterinary advice where appropriate.

The information provided on this website reflects our experience with our own dogs and is intended as general information rather than individual veterinary advice.